Monthly Archives: March 2018

I wonder
were there rhapsodies
ten thousand years before –
voices meant to carry
across a canyon floor
were there strings
before the bow could singan older violin
did dancers sway
in firelight
before the dance began

before the words
came willing
were there whispers
all along –thought already yieldedunto song

before the books
were written
did lovers understand
the promise held
within another’s hand
the crush of
two hearts beating
as shadows gathered rounda sweeter song unfoldingwithout sound

did they know
before the knowing
before their first goodbye
did music stream
unnoticed
like stars
above the night

as violins
of welcome in
were playedthen played again
as tender sighs
fell silently
to skin

when the storm
at last is over –
will the earth breathe free again
will the mountains
stop their trembling
such that robins weep
rivers raining red
when the storm is past
will we remember
another time –
a sweeter place
when ashes didn’t fall
to cover grace

the screen door slams
and I’ve forgotten
where I left my favorite cup
an old oak table
bears the faded scars
of somewhere
I was shaken
by habits shared and traded
by stories married
verse and tell me more
a line or two
and I’ll be grateful
for moments I’ve discovered
were ne’ver enough

put me in a jar
of twilight and jasmine
(never let me go)
hide me away
in folds of scented linen
stories written to yourself
names and places faded
unto years –
(whispers now)
of another time I wished aloud
I remember still
how it was (how it felt)
to hold the stars